The events start April 5 with First Friday downtown, followed by the Wildflower and Nature Festival on April 6 and culminating in the Paws For A Cause fundraiser for the Northwest SPCA on April 7.

First Friday

Downtown Oroville changed April’s First Friday event on April 5 from its traditional Spring Fling theme to Wags and Wildflowers to tie the other two events together to make it a “full weekend of delightful activities for the community” said Robin Zanon, the business association’s vice president.

“The Wildflower and Nature festival and Paws For A Cause are two great annual events,” said Zanon. “We wanted to support both of them so we decided to change our annual April First Friday theme to help promote both events and give the community a head start on the fun.”

During First Friday, which starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m., participating downtown businesses will be open late and welcoming human as well as well-behaved canine on leashes into their stores. Some will even have treats for people’s pups. The business association will also have a booth located at the corner of Bird and Meyers streets where they will be accepting donations of non-perishable dog and cat food for the Northwest SPCA. Folks who bring a donation will have a chance to win gift cards from Union and Provisions restaurants. Those who spend $20 or more at any participating business may also bring their receipts to the booth to receive a free wildflower and a raffle ticket.

The Feather River Recreation and Park District will be joining the event this year with a booth where they will be handing out flyers with a map and information on the vendors, activities and entertainment at the following day’s festival.

Wildflower and Nature Festival

The 16th annual Feather River Recreation and Park District’s Wildflower and Nature Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. at Riverbend Park, 50 Montgomery St. and runs until 4 p.m. April 6.

In addition to the sights and sounds of nature including spring’s new green foliage and the rushing Feather River at this free event, attendees can also enjoy shopping, education, free activities and food at 70 different vendor booths and food trucks. The Native Sons of the Golden West Argonaut Parlor No. 8 will be hosting a beer garden for those 21 and older. Smokey Bear will be hanging out in the special area just for kids were youngsters may enjoy playing in a bounce house, having their faces painted and visiting with animals from Kirshner Wildlife Foundation.

Live music performances are scheduled in the amphitheater throughout the day with the Feather River Gypsies performing at 10 a.m., the Stringtown Band at 12:15 p.m. and, at 2:15, the Ragtop Rockers will wrap up the day’s live entertainment.

The Wildflower and Nature Festival has grown in popularity through the years with an average of 3,500 people from throughout the county and attending annually.

“The Wildflower and Nature Festival continues to be a favorite among Oroville and Butte County residents,” said Kendyle Lowe, FRRPD executive administrator. “We’re proud to continue to host this family-friendly event that showcases Butte County’s natural resources and homemade products. We’re also excited to see its growth over the past years and are looking forward to seeing it continue to grow this year and in future years.”

Lowe also said FRRPD was also “happy to partner with Downtown Oroville to promote all the weekend’s events” and appreciated Oroville Chamber of Commerce, California Department of Water Resources and Explore Butte County sponsorship of this year’s festival.

Paws for a Cause

Rounding out the weekend festivities, the Union Patio Bar and Grill, 2053 Montgomery St., is hosting the second annual Paws For A Cause benefit for the Northwest SPCA from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 7.

The funds collected from the event’s $5 cover charge plus 10 percent of all proceeds during the five-hour event will be donated to the local animal shelter. The event also includes a “ton of raffles with really big prizes,” said Jordan Vogel, general manager.

“The money from the raffles will also be donated to the Northwest SPCA,” said Vogel. “Last year we raised over $8,000. Our goal this year is $10,000.”

The event, which will be emceed by a DJ playing music throughout the day, features food and beverage specials and vendors including beer and alcohol merchants giving away swag. The Northwest SPCA will also be on hand with dogs looking for forever homes and the winner of the Butte County Pooch Playoffs, an annual bracket-style dog portrait competition that benefits the Northwest SPCA, will be announced.

“We host this event because we’re all animal lovers here at Union. Union is a big part of the community and we want to do our part to help support our furry friends,” said Vogel. “There will be great music, food and drinks in a really fun atmosphere and it’s just a great way to spend a Sunday.”

For more information on the weekend’s events visit www.downtownoroville.com, www.frrdp.com and www.unionfork.com.

The annual festival featured environmental education booths, food trucks and vendors, many selling a variety of plants.

Radley got his face painted to look like a character from the video game Minecraft. He said he really enjoyed seeing all of the rocks and minerals that were for sale.

Arbor Day was started by a Nebraskan newspaper editor who greatly valued trees and decided to implement a tree planting holiday in 1872. More than 150 years later, the holiday has grown into a sustainability focused organization, the Arbor Day Foundation.

Oroville is a “Tree City.” The Arbor Day Foundation deems a town a Tree City if there is enough tree cover in the area. The  Arbor Day Foundation’s website lists the following benefits of being a Tree City: “Cooler temperatures. Cleaner air. Higher property values. Healthier residents.”

The Butte Environmental Council tabled at the Arbor Day Festival and offered free giveaways such as seeds and bookmarks. At the event they advertised their new subplots in the Oak Way Community Garden.

“We built smaller subdivisions of our big plots to create more accessibility to people who want to try their hand gardening … just to create equity and access,” said Butte Environmental Council executive director Patrizia Hironimus.

A part of Hironimus’ main focus is to get the community civically engaged in fun and free ways that benefit the environment.

“I learned that people who are civically engaged are more likely to graduate, to graduate on time and be civically engaged later on in life,” Hironimus said.

The Chico Bonsai Society displayed and sold a variety of bonsai trees at the event. Martin Schwab, treasurer of the Chico Bonsai Society, said growing bonsai trees teaches “patience.”

He pointed to a bonsai tree with a thick trunk and large fuchsia flowers.

“That one there is probably about 20-years-old … somebody has had that in their care for that long,” Schwab said.

One of the bonsai trees he brought to the event was a juniper he’d been growing for one year.

“Bonsais are pretty low maintenance, but they require a lot of time,” he said.

On top of patience, Schwab said bonsais can teach about “understanding.”

“Every once in a while a tree will die,” Schwab said. “And so I guess you learn a little bit about mortality.”

An attendee at the event pointed at a maple bonsai tree and asked Schwab if the tree was “a marijuana plant.” The two laughed, and Schwab said that growing marijuana the way you grow a bonsai tree probably wouldn’t work too well.

Charlotte Freer, owner of Unique Gardens and Gifts, sold plants, earrings and garden decorations at the the festival. Tomato plants were her top seller.

A tip she offers customers who by tomato plants is to cut the bottom two leaves off of the stem, and then plant it deep in the soil.

During the Garden Blitz community volunteers from throughout the county roll up their sleeves and pitch in to help build and install vegetable garden beds at homes in their communities.

“It’s like the barn-raising days of old,” said Pamm Larry, director of the network. “It’s a great way for people in the community to pay it forward to others in the community, to help families in need become more food secure. When we are individually food secure, the whole community is food secure.”

The nonprofit needs volunteers to help build and install approximately 125 raised 4-by-4 foot and 4-by-8 foot beds, complete with hardware cloth, soil, mulch and vegetable plants. Building and installation dates for Chico are April 5 through 7 and in Oroville and Paradise, April 12-14. Volunteers with pick-up trucks are especially needed as are folks who can operate tractors with a bucket or skid steer. For those who volunteer with pickup trucks, the food network will supply gas cards if needed.

Work for the Garden Blitz is already underway at Achieve Charter School of Chico and Ridgeview High School where students, under the direction of Hands On Tools Mobile Construction Training staff, are building some of the beds.

“We’re so excited to be working with students who are excited about this project,” said Larry. “They really get a kick out of using the tools and seeing the beds come together through their handy work.”

The premise of the Garden Blitz, now in its fifth year, is similar to the Victory Gardens of WWII. In that instance the government mobilized and put huge resources into supporting and encouraging everyone to grow gardens in backyards, front yards, churches, businesses and community spaces. Through this nationwide effort to become more food secure, 42% of the nation’s vegetables and fruits were grown in Victory Gardens. Today local food, including gardens, only supplies less than 2 percent, according to Larry.

“We are living in uncertain times right now and the food system is changing. Globally it’s imploding as war impacts the supply chain. The experts I follow project that food prices could double again this year,” said Larry. “I believe it’s important for people to become more self sufficient in these uncertain time especially, when it comes to feeding their families.”

Garden Blitz is part of the local food network’s 1,000 Acres More Project which aims to create community gardens in backyards and at schools, churches and community centers throughout the county so 1,000 acres or more are in food production. Since the blitz started five years ago, 415 garden beds have been installed and families are grateful to have them.

“Foodbanks are overburdened because of the increase of families in need of help. Some of the families we’ve installed gardens for tell me they’ve had to choose between keeping a roof over their head and feeding their kids,” said Larry. “They are so thankful and really appreciate that they can grow some of their own food. The garden beds don’t take care of everything but they certainly help. Every little bit helps.”

While the beds are available for purchase at a cost of $185 for a 4-by-4 foot bed and $275 for a 4-by-8 foot bed, most of the beds are provided to families through a scholarship program. The scholarship funding come through Adventist Health Feather River Health Foundation, the Lundberg Family Foundation through the North Valley Community Foundation and Chico Natural Foods Round Up Program. Larry hopes the scholarship funds this year will cover the costs of 100 garden boxes but said that will depend on the final costs of the materials which are being locally sourced.

For more information about the blitz including scholarship, purchase and volunteer applications visit the food network’s website at www.bclocalfood.org.

Oroville Botanic Gardens and Educations Center in partnership with the city and chamber of commerce are hosting the fifth annual event designed to educate people on maintaining and expanding natural resources in the community and at their own homes.

“Oroville is an amazing town,” said Raeshae Shane, OBGEC vice president. “We hope the festival helps to bring people a passion for the city they live in and in the betterment of Oroville’s natural resources and all the beauty they have to offer.”

The free community event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oroville Convention Center, 1200 Myers St.

The event will open with a presentation of the Tree City USA flag by the Arbor Day Foundation to the city of Oroville, which has been Tree City USA for more than four decades.

“We’re very excited that Oroville is part of Tree City USA, “ said Shane. “It’s a big mission for the Oroville Botanic Gardens and Education Center to bring awareness and protection to trees already here and to work on restoring trees that have been lost.”

Presentations during the event include a bonsai demonstration by the Chico Bonsai Society; woodcarving by O’Rourke’s Outdoor Adventures and Cal Fire-Butte County will be there with its smoke house to teach kids fire safety. The Butte County Fire Safe Council will bring a goat to raise awareness about goat grazing for fire fuel reduction. K Organics will be presenting information on bio char and soil health and the Butte County Resource Conservation District will also be hosting a booth. Vice Mayor Eric Smith will do a presentation based on Dr. Seuss’ book “The Lorax.”

The Lake Oroville Area Garden Club will offer a rose propagation activity. The Rainforest Art Project will also be set-up to allow children and adults the opportunity to help create one of the 60 tile mosaic murals slated for installation along a 600-foot wall on Table Mountain Boulevard near the Feather River Fish Hatchery.

Treetop Permaculture will be giving away 5,000 tree saplings to people whose properties were impacted by the North Complex which was made of the Bear and Claremont fires. While trees will be given away on a first come, first served basis, those wishing to lock in receipt of free trees may register in advance at https://forms.gle/Br1Br7TFQi5d1o1XA.

“Although the 5,000 tree giveaway is for Bear Fire survivors, we will likely have plenty left over and, if so, we would be happy to help anyone who is replanting from fire damage,” said Matthew Trumm, Treetop Permaculture founder.

Ready Racoon, Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog will also be attending the festival as will 45 local vendors and three food trucks including Churros Daisy, Farm To Fork and Will’s Catering. There will also be a beer garden for those 21 and older.

Raffles will be held throughout the day with all proceeds benefitting OBGEC’s gardens, education programs and community work.

“We are encouraging people to come to the festival to meet the amazing, fun educational vendors who will help teach them about how to improve the quality of nature here in Oroville,” said Shane. “We hope that as a result of attending the festival more members of the community will help make the community a better place by volunteering for local environment-related nonprofits, planting gardens and trees at their homes and teaching children to care for the environment.”

The aim of this new weekly column will be to let you know about those events — while also offering my insights into the world of entertainment, both locally and on the global scale. You might even say it’s a passion of mine.

For starters, I love theater and perform in shows myself (one recent example being “Fiddler On the Roof” at the Chico Theater Company last year; I was Shaindel). There are many other great theaters in this area I’m looking forward to writing about, and there never seems to be a shortage of plays.

One example of this is “Fools,” a comedy written by Neil Simon and directed by Jennifer Beers, which will be at the Birdcage Theater in Oroville on March 21-23 and March 29-30 at 7:30 p.m., and March 24 and March 31 at 2 p.m. The theatre is located at 1740 Bird St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors or students. Visit www.birdcagetheatre.org for more info and for tickets.

I will also write about art and focus attention on all of the great museums and galleries in the area, such as the Museum of Northern California Art and the Chico History Museum. We just had a great event Feb. 24-25 with Explore Butte County, where admission is free for the whole weekend once a year at museums and galleries.

And then there’s music, with a number of great bands continuing Butte County’s rich tradition of live performances. From Laxson Auditorium performances at Chico State to coffee shop/venue The Naked Lounge to the Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., there’s almost always great sounds coming out of downtown Chico and the surrounding areas, and I’m looking forward to reporting on more of those.

Elsewhere, just for starters, the Decades band is continuing its era-bending repertoire with a show March 9 from 10:15 p.m. to midnight at Feather Falls Brewing Co. You’ll hear everything from “In the Mood” to today’s music such as Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.” Seating starts at 10 p.m.

Also, the Butte Baroque Spring Concert is being held March 16 at noon. This is a spring chamber music concert featuring baroque and baroque inspired works for strings, organ and oboe. Featured composers include Bach, Vivaldi, Buxtehude, Johann Ludwig Krebs, Ethel Smyth and Walter Piston. This concert will be held at newly-remodeled St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 435 Chestnut St. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students/children: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6246197.

I’m also a big fan of stand-up comedy, and have attended shows at Gnarly Deli and the El Rey and at Sierra Nevada, so I will preview (and maybe review) those comedy shows. Comedy at the Station, with a lineup of comedians, occurs March 17 at Mulberry Station Brewing Co. at 175 East 20th St. from 8-10 p.m.

Again, that’s all just for starters. If you have any suggestions on something to write about, please email me at jblevins@chicoer.com.

But first? It’s time for the Academy Awards! I’ll be back with my Oscar predictions in a week, and I’ll invite you to submit yours as well before the ceremony March 10.

Got a suggestion about something to cover on the local arts and entertainment scene? You can email Jennie Blevins at jblevins@chicoer.com. 

MLK Unity Group and the Black Student Union put on the free event in the Bell Memorial Union and outside at the Trinity Commons. The event celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and marked the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

Features of the event included an outdoor rally, various performances, an “Arts and Facts” exhibit, a community dinner and a keynote address from Minister Charles L. Coleman, second vice president of the NAACP Butte County Branch.

Theater group Hue Vision performed at the event led by director Baba Kauna.

The message of Hue Vision’s performance was, “to give another perspective on Martin Luther King, not the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” Kauna said.

The performance art group focuses on issues of social justice.

“As opposed to the story being told by the hunter, it is now being told by the hunted,” Kauna said.

Performances took place in the Bell Memorial Union and on Trinity lawn.

The children’s theater group, La Bam, put on a runway show with performers dressed as historical Black figures.

Event organizer Emmanuelle Sainte introduced the young models as they walked across the stage and waved at the crowd. She spoke a bit about each historical figure portrayed by the children as they took their turn on stage.

One young performer, Isara Dixon, wiped away a few tears before walking on stage dressed as Menen Asfaw, empress of Ethiopia.

“You’re doing so great mama,” said Sainte, as Dixon waved to spectators.

“Empress Menen was active in promoting women’s issues in Ethiopia … And she also helped build the first school for women. So what Oprah got to say about that?” said Sainte, prompting the crowd to laugh and applaud.

In the “Arts and Facts” exhibit, community organizations tabled for various causes.

“It’s an ongoing opportunity to interact with the general public authentically regarding lesser known aspects of the African diaspora,” said Anecia Johnson, founder of the African-focused center of learning “Amma Culture,”

Johnson tabled with her organization Amma Culture for the event, which fell on her birthday.

Johnson, a lifelong Chicoan, said it is her “divine purpose,” to share lesser known knowledge about the contributions and Black and indigenous people. She also expressed the importance of community.

“One thing I tell all people, and it doesn’t matter what color or ethnicity they identify with, is one has to be deliberate about creating true community,” Johnson said.

Tyrek Edwards, president of the Black Student Union, moved to Chico from Inglewood to study construction management.

“I think that this event is a start,” Edwards said. “It’s a milestone for us.”

Edwards said he experienced microaggressions when he moved to Chico, which he said comes with moving to a new environment.

“Sometimes passion can be looked at as frustration, and that’s not always the case,” Edwards said.

To Black students who might be wary of coming to Chico, Edwards said:  “Chico does have a potential for change … The soil here is rich. There’s a lot of opportunity for you to create a great resume … Don’t be afraid of it because it does have potential.”

Effective Feb. 1, the YMCA will be offering a “pay-as-you-go” pass program that will allow people to pay for just the programs they use by purchasing packages of multiple or single-use passes and, thereby, allow the Y to rent out the convention center space to other groups during the hours previously used for member drop in.

In a recent letter to its current membership, the YMCA stated this change in charging structure was made after several months of being in “communication with the city of Oroville to discuss our viability in serving the Oroville community.” The letter went on to state that through the new pass payment program people will “have the ability to participate in Y services with pre-paid packages or one-time visit passes.”

“The YMCA has been talking to the community and we’re excited to be offering new programs and activities including the new pass system making use of the Y easy and flexible for people of all ages in Oroville and surrounding areas,” said Sarah Pierce, branch manager.

Group exercise classes, Esports and Esports Jr. as well as open basketball and pickleball among other programs will continued to be offered. New activities at the Y include Bunco, After Hourz At The Y and Drama Club At The Y.

Bunco will be offered the third Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. for $15 per person.

“Bunco has grown in popularity over the last several years,” said Pierce. “It’s a fun way for adults to get together, be social and meet new people.”

On the fourth Thursday of every month, the After Hourz At The Y program will feature live bands and DJ nights. These music and dance nights are specifically geared toward teens because “the Oroville area needs more fun things for teenagers to do in the evenings,” said Pierce.

“After Hourz at the Y provides the fun of a concert experience in a safe alcohol and drug free environment,” said Pierce. “We are looking forward to opening the door for all ages including families who are looking for something to do with their kids.”

The ticket cost is $15 per concert and teens under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Due to the “popularity of the Y’s annual children’s theater program,” which culminates in one big production during the winter, and the “lack of children’s theater options in Oroville,” the Y is starting a drama club for kids ages 10 and up from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays, said Pierce. The start date for this new program has not been set but information will be available soon on the Y’s website.

For the first time, the YMCA will be hosting the Missoula Children’s Theatre company for a special week of drama for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. The theater company will be taking up residency at the Y the week of March 18-23 and, with participation from 50 to 60 local kids, present “Treasure Island.” Open auditions are from 3 to 5 p.m. March 18 with the first rehearsal following the auditions. Rehearsals will continue daily from 3 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. through the week and culminate in two performances, one at 6 p.m. March 22 and the second at 2 p.m. March 23. More information is available at ymcasuperiorcal.org/OrovilleYMCA.

The Y will also continue to offer space to other groups and organizations for events including cornhole, square dancing and the Oroville Kiwanis Science Fair on March 9.

“We’re excited to be hosting the Kiwanis Science Fair,” said Pierce. “We hope people will join us for a day of innovation, discovery and endless curiosity as the fair celebrates and honors the young minds of our community.”

For more information about the YMCA and its programs visit https://www.ymcasuperiorcal.org/OrovilleYMCA or call 530-533-9622.

Patrick Ranch Museum housed the festival headquarters with exhibitors such as Sierra Club, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Plumas Audubon Society, California Watchable Wildlife and NorCal Bats, a rescue organization based in Davis.

The NorCal Bats exhibit displayed live bats hanging upside down in see-through containers. Corky Quirk, founder of NorCal Bats, held bats for attendees to view while she explained the animals’ eating habits.

“We fear what we don’t understand,” Quirk said while holding a pallid bat.

The small pink and brown pallid bat — recently named the state bat — has disproportionately large ears, beady black eyes and a pig-like snout. Because of the bat’s uniquely cute appearance, making it the state bat might make people more comfortable with wildlife they perceive as scary, Quirk said.

Many exhibitors at the festival harped on the importance of bringing people together, especially children, to learn about wildlife. Barbara Steinberg, California Watchable Wildlife outreach coordinator, highlighted two reasons for having events like the Snow Goose Festival: tourism and youth education.

During COVID these festivals couldn’t take place. Nature tourism, which is a big part of smaller towns like Chico, brings in billions of dollars each year, Steinberg said. On top of tourism, she said, educating children on land conservation is what makes these events important, “because if they don’t protect it, then who will?”

This focus on the youth is why first time attendee Hannah Burdette brought her 5-year-old daughter Avery to the festival. Burdette especially enjoyed an outdoor exhibit that set up telescopes so attendees could peek at a large owl, high up in one of the ranch’s pine trees.

The Audubon Society hosted a variety of educational children’s games including one called “Hazards and Hurdles,” teaching children about the challenges birds face in migration. The game simulated light pollution, which can disorient birds, by having the children look through a kaleidoscope before moving to the next obstacle in the game.

“This is like a nice showcase of what this community has to offer,” said Raquel Elander, human wildlife conflict biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Elander came with her friend Sequoia Williams who is trying to get more into “birding,” or bird watching.

To Elander, birding means to have “a community that’s not based on anything except what’s just given on the land.”

The snow goose, for which the festival is named, travels thousands of miles from Alaska and Russia to feed for the winter in the Central Valley, said Nikki Meunch, park ranger at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.

The Sacramento Wildlife Refuge closed its visitor center in 2022 for remodeling, but Meunch said they are hopefully having a soft opening “soon.”

The Snow Goose Festival concludes today at Patrick Ranch.

Nonprofit True North Housing Alliance has gathered a group of bands and brews donated by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for its second annual Blues & Brews benefit concert to be held 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 at the Chico Women’s Club, 592 E. Third St.

In continuing support amid record needs for homeless services, proceeds and donations from this concert will help the nonprofit’s programs at Torres Community Shelter, where its guests are given case management and help to find more permanent housing.

“On average, we serve approximately 700 people each year and house someone every three days,” said Ashiah Bird, director of marketing and communications. “When folks support fundraisers like Blues & Brews, they really make a difference in people’s lives and help our entire community.”

Featuring live bands Big Mo & The Full Moon Band, The Rockhounds, The Stumpjumperz Band and The Unknowns, the concert will include craft beer, signature cocktails and Filipino fusion food from Spralty’s Kitchen.

Prizes from local artists and businesses will be up for raffle including an electric guitar donated by The Music Connection, a painting donated by Chico artist Michael Bone and two season tickets to California Regional Theatre shows.

“Blues & Brews is all about good music, good food, good friends, a good vibe and a good cause,” Bird said.

More information on the concert can be found at: https://truenorthbutte.org/bluesbrews.

Congregation Beth Israel: 10 a.m. 1336 Hemlock St.

Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church: 10 a.m. worship service Saturday. Sabbath school classes at 11 a.m. In person, livestream at www.chicoadventist.church. 1877 Hooker Oak Ave. 342-7777.

SUNDAY

Chico

–Aldersgate United Methodist Church: 10 a.m. “Grace Built People” with Pastor Scott Gessford. Eph. 2:1-10.  2869 Cohasset Road. All sermons at www.chicoaumc.org. YouTube, “Aldersgate UMC Chico CA.”

Asian Bible Church: Adults Sunday Bible School 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. service. cifchico.org and in-person at Chico Grange Hall, 2775 Nord Ave. Mandarin translation available. Ministry of Christ International Fellowship.

Bidwell Presbyterian Church: In person worship, livestream. Traditional mass at 8:30 a.m., Contemporary 10 a.m. Praxis first, third Sundays of month at 5:45 p.m. Childcare during 10 a.m. worship. Livestream at bidwellpres.org/worship or YouTube. 208 West First St. 343-1484. bidwellpres.org.

Butte Bible Fellowship: 8:45 a.m. adult Sunday school. 10 a.m. worship, in person, Zoom. “How to Have Peace Throughout this New Year” and communion. John 16:33. 2255 Pillsbury Road. 892-0521.

Calvary Chapel Chico: 9 and 11 a.m.1888 Springfield Drive. Children’s ministry. All ages. Guest speaker Dave Thorwaldson. Live ccchico.com, YouTube, Facebook, KQIP 107.1 FM, CCChico app. Android, Amazon, Roku services. Communion served at all services. 894-1441.  –

Chico First Baptist Church: 10:30 a.m. “Epiphany Gleanings” by Rev. Gail Hill. Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12. 850 Palmetto Ave. In-person or on Zoom. Email office@chicofirstbaptist.org for Zoom invitation. 343-3446.

Chico Church of Christ: 9:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship 10:30 a.m. Pastor Chet Rutledge.  Faith in the New Year. Hebrews 11:1-6.

Chico First Assembly: 1137 Arbutus Ave. Sunday service 10 a.m. Monday 6 p.m. Wednesday 6 p.m. Youth Group (6-12th grade) Wednesday Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Men’s bible study Thursday 6 a.m. 345-1377.

Chico Friends Meeting (Quakers): Worship online and in person. Learn more about present meeting schedule by sending an email inquiry to chicofriendsmeeting@gmail.com or by calling message phone at (530) 345-3753.

Chico Havurah: 1289 Filbert Avenue.530-237-3664.

Church on The Esplanade: Small groups 9:30 a.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. worship service. Kids’ church starts after music. Worship service, livestream on Facebook at 11 a.m. 891-4178. 1119 The Esplanade.

City Light Church: Service 10 a.m. 3015 Cohasset Road. 343-1491. Visit www.citylightchico.org.

Community Church of God: 11 a.m. Sunday service. 1095 East Ave. Wednesday Bible study 7 p.m. Ladies Bible study 10 a.m. Thursday. 345-4300.

Covenant Reformed Church: 10 a.m. 3612 Hicks Lane. Seventh-day Adventist building.

Evangelical Free Church of Chico: 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. Livestream available and past services on YouTube. In person, online. Join this Sunday for “Shadow of a Man” in Acts 5. Register www.efcChico.org or church office at 343-6022. 1193 Filbert Ave.

Faith Lutheran Church: 9:30 a.m. Melisse Boyd preaching on 2 Timothy 1:5-10 and Matthew 2:1-12 for Epiphany. All are welcome to partake in worship, song, and communion at 9:30 a.m. in person, and online at chicofaithlutheran.org/live. Sunday School available in person. For more information, please visit website or call (530) 895-3754.

Firm Family Church: 9 a.m., 11 a.m. Community time 10:15 a.m. Will celebrate the Lord’s Supper in both services. Almond Orchard Plaza at 2201 Pillsbury Road, Suite 150. firmfamilychurch.org.

First Christian Church: 10 a.m. in the sanctuary and livestream at www.fccchico.com for details. Rev. Jesse Kearns. “We Trust Our Belovedness” Luke 3:21-22. 295 E. Washington Ave.

First Church of Christ Scientist: 10 a.m. “Christian Science” Exodus 23:20 by Mary Baker Eddy.  770 Palmetto Ave. Sunday school up to age 20 with free childcare. Wednesday testimony 7:30 p.m. www.christiansciencechico.org. 342-7990.

Grace Community Church: “Work of the Spirit” from John 16:12-15.  Services in the Worship Center at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. 2346 Floral Ave. Livestream 11 a.m. at www.gracechico.org.

Living Hope Fellowship: 10:15 a.m. Morning worship service with Pastor Heath Jarrett. “The Fullness of Christ.” Colossians 2:8-15.  355 Panama Ave. Livestream at www.livinghopechico.com. 342-8642.

Neighborhood Church: 10 a.m. in the Dome or watch livestream. Children’s ministry will be available for all ages from infancy through junior high. Please register kids (0- fifth grade) at the beginning of the service. Nursery through three years old will be open the whole morning but will continue dismissing kids (preschool and up) right before the morning’s message. Junior high students will join for worship then be dismissed to their class. Neighborhood Church of Chico on Facebook or on YouTube http://bit.ly/ncchico. 2801 Notre Dame Boulevard. 530-343-6006.

Our Divine Savior Catholic Church: Tuesday through Friday mass at 8:30 a.m. Saturday vigil mass 5 p.m. Sunday mass 8 a.m., 10 a.m. Mass Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m., ourdivinesavior.org. 566 East Lassen Ave.

Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran (LCMS): 10 a.m. Divine service with Rev. Brennan DeForest. Sunday School/Adult Bible Class 8:45 a.m. 750 Moss Ave., 530-343-1693,  www.redeemerchico.org.

Rock of Life Fellowship: Faith, Family, Friends and Fellowship. Pastor Alfredo Romero. 2555 Dominic Drive. Bruce and Skyway, Sunday 10 a.m. Bible studies 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Youth programs 6 p.m. rockoflifechico.org. Facebook/YouTube. 588-4700.

Saints of Christ: A restoration church located at 3479 Grape Way. 10 a.m. class, 11 a.m. worship. 345-3510.

St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 228 Salem St. 894-7409. Celebrating Epiphany with Holy Eucharist. Bishop Peter Hansen, celebrant, will preach about “They Came Believing.” Dr. Brad Martin on organ.

St. John’s the Evangelist Episcopal Church: 9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m. service livestreamed on Facebook. stjohnschico.org. 2341 Floral Ave. 894-1971.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church: 416 Chestnut St. www.sjbchico.org. 343-8741. In-person Saturday 5 p.m. English, 7 p.m. Spanish. Sunday 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 5 p.m. English; Noon, Spanish. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 6 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. school mass. Saturday 8 a.m. Confession Wednesday 6:30 p.m., Saturday 3:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Trinity United Methodist Church: 8:30 a.m. church chapel; 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary or on Zoom or Facebook Live. Guest Speaker Rev. Brian Peterson with “A Different Way:Transformed.” Matthew 2:1-12. chicotrinity@yahoo.com or 343-1497 for virtual service. 285 E. Fifth St.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship: 10:30 a.m. “Love Thy Neighbor!” Worship Leader-Kathryn Adams. 1289 Filbert Ave. www.uuchico.org. Childcare available. 530-343-1693.

Orland

Federated Church of Orland: Bible study 9 a.m. 10:30 a.m. service. Bible study Mondays at 1:30 p.m. Choir Practice Tuesdays 6 p.m. 709 First St. 865-3131. Livestream YouTube “Federated Church of Orland.” Service on YouTube, Facebook at federatedchurchoforland.

First Lutheran Church: Tuesday morning Bible study 10 a.m. on Zoom. To join, enter meeting number by calling 865-4532. Sunday service 9 a.m. Livestream at orlandlutheran.com, YouTube or Facebook. 19 Colusa St.

Magalia

Magalia Community Church: 13700 Old Skyway. Worship 10 a.m. in historic 1896 chapel. Service topics, times on Facebook at Magalia Community Church. Thursday bible study at 6 p.m. Livestream at UUChico.org. mcchurch1896@yahoo.com. 877-7963.

Paradise

Craig Memorial Congregational Church: Rev. Cathy Humphrey. 10 a.m. Sunday worship and fellowship. Formerly at Scottwood and Pearson Roads in Paradise before Camp Fire. Temporarily in the little red church behind St. Nicholas Episcopal Church. 5872 Oliver Road.

First Christian Church: Rev. Janice McCollister. 10 a.m. worship in the sanctuary and online on Facebook at First Christian Church-Paradise. 5738 Pentz Road. 530-877-9923.

Paradise Lutheran Church: 780 Luther Drive, Paradise. Sunday worship with Eucharist 10:15 a.m. with communion. All are welcome. 877-3549. www.paradiselutheran.org.

Our Savior Lutheran Church: Missouri Synod. 6404 Pentz Road. Pastor Brandon Merrick. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Sunday Bible Studies 8:45 a.m. oslcparadise@comcast.net. 877-7321.

Paradise Ridge Southern Baptist Church: 11 a.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. Wednesday with Pastor Robert Sorensen at 6975 Pentz Road, Paradise. 877-7391.

St. Nicholas Episcopal Church: 10:30 a.m. services. No child or youth services currently. 5872 Oliver Road. 877-7006.

Hamilton City

Evangelical Free Church of Hamilton City: 490 Los Robles Ave. Service is Sunday at 11 a.m.

The deadline for church briefs and services is noon Wednesday prior to publication. Email items to religion@chicoer.com.